Qatar Population

Qatar Population

Rich deposits of oil and gas have made Qatar one of the richest countries in the Middle East. Only one in five Qatans is born in the country, most of the other inhabitants are foreign guest workers. The Al-Thani family has ruled the country for almost 150 years.

Key figures and facts

  • Capital: Doha
  • Ethnic groups: Non-Qatans 88.4%, Qatars 11.6% (2015)
  • Language: Arabic (official), English
  • Religion: Muslims 67.7%, Christians 13.8%, Hindus 13.8%, Buddhists 3.1% (2010)
  • Population: 2,694,849 (2018)
  • Control Form: emirate
  • Area: 11 610 km2
  • Currency: Riyal
  • GNP per capita: 127 480 PPP $
  • National Day: December 18th

Population of Qatar

The population of Qatar is just over 2.6 million (2016), according to the country’s official statistics. Around 88 percent of the residents are immigrants, most of them from Asia. The high labor immigration has led to the country having a very uneven gender distribution, with surplus men.

Qatar Country Population

Only about 11 percent of the population belongs to the country’s original residents, Arab Bedouins, who, due to oil revenues, have abandoned the traditional way of life with camel hold and pearl fishing. Most Qatans were originally from Nedshd in central Arabia and Persia (Iran). The rest of the population are foreign workers, especially from surrounding states such as Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Iran, and Oman, but also western industrialized countries such as the United Kingdom. These constitute a vital labor force for the country, including in the construction sector, in various service professions and in the oil industry.

The population is mainly resident in and around the capital Doha, around 92 percent of the total population.

Population of Qatar by Year (Historical)

Year Population Annual Growth Rate Population Density Global Rank
2020 2,880,942 1.730% 248.1527 139
2019 2,831,956 1.810% 243.9334 141
2018 2,781,571 2.090% 239.5936 142
2017 2,724,617 2.650% 234.6880 142
2016 2,654,263 3.460% 228.6283 142
2015 2,565,599 6.690% 220.9914 142
2010 1,856,216 16.490% 159.8904 148
2005 865,305 7.870% 74.5406 158
2000 592,357 2.900% 51.0308 164
1995 513,331 1.510% 44.2241 164
1990 476,167 5.130% 41.0231 164
1985 370,779 10.650% 31.9457 164
1980 223,521 6.360% 19.2620 176
1975 164,209 8.450% 14.1533 177
1970 109,403 8.260% 9.4327 184
1965 73,522 9.220% 6.3422 191
1960 47,273 5.730% 4.0813 197
1955 35,755 7.480% 3.0892 201
1950 24,892 0.000% 2.1536 204

Major Cities in Qatar by Population

Rank City Population
1 Doha 344,828
2 Ar Rayyan 272,354
3 Umm Salal Muhammad 29,280
4 Al Wakrah 26,325
5 Al Khawr 18,812
6 Ash Shihaniyah 8,269
7 Dukhan 7,139
8 Musay`id 5,658
9 Madinat ash Shamal 5,156
10 Al Wukayr 5,035

Religion

Islam is the largest religion, around 67 percent of the population is Muslim. The vast majority are Sunnis, with a small minority of Shias. Immigration has led to more religions being represented. Largest among the other religions are Hinduism and Christianity, each with approximately 14 percent of the population.

Language

The official language is Arabic.